Whitcliffe future is uncertain

The fallout from last month’s decision to close Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre next May even prompted a prospective parliamentary candidate to hold crisis meetings with about its future.

Currently, there are no plans in place to rebuild Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre, but talk persists among local councillors about the possibility of rebuilding a cut-price sports hall for around £2m.

Coun Andrew Pinnock told the Kirklees budget meeting this week that both need to be rebuilt and contractors had told him they could feasibly do this.

Nearby Spen Pool is still facing a funding shortfall as the £4.65m pledged for its rebuild falls behind the £8m it was expected to cost.

Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Batley and Spen Jo Cox has organised and hosted two meetings at the Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre to allow users to raise their concerns about the proposed closure due to the rebuilding of the neighbouring Whitcliffe Mount School.

Following the meetings, she said: “From what we know, the council is offering what seems to be the most workable and sustainable solution to keep Spenborough swimming pool open and invest in new sports facilities at the Spen site.

“But Kirklees should have done much more to engage with people in Cleckheaton and in particular those who will be affected by this.”